Was anyone else disappointed in the BF Ads?

[DebMcDonald]

I love BF, my oldest daughter and I just enjoy the rush of it, but we are also not going out for the TV's or computers. This year I was really very disappointed. We went out and had fun, but there was nothing I NEEDED. Michael's for ribbon at 70% off, K-cups at BB&B with the 20% off everything, and then the mall and we were there for several hours, but nothing we would not have done on a typical Saturday.

 

[ChisJo]

Although in Canada, we don't really have a Black Friday (our big shopping day is the day after Christmas, Boxing Day), alot of companies have adopted the Black Friday to help the economy. For instance, Michaels and Sears were all supposed to match Black Friday prices in the States. Same with the Disney Store, the Source, Pier One, the Gap, Banana Republic, and Old Navy. However, Wal Mart only price matched in Eastern Canada (we are from the west), and although I did get up and go Black Friday shopping, I have to say that I was incredibly disappointed. I was expecting there to be far better deals out there. Sears was the biggest disappointment. We weren't really in the market for anything, but we figured if we saw something that was a good deal that we could use, we would buy it. We found nothing of interest at all. We were also looking for Christmas gifts, but found nothing worth buying. It was disappointing.

 

[sherry7]

I didn't even go out this year, and I normally do. I did see a few items that I wanted, but I was able to buy them online yesterday for the same price.

 

[WDWisTheBest]

I didn't even go out this year, and I normally do. I did see a few items that I wanted, but I was able to buy them online yesterday for the same price.

I saw multiple reports about the BF psychology and retailers trying to boost the "hype". Glad you were able to buy those items online for the same price.

 

[Aryn]

I went to Target and got everything I wanted. I thought that Target had the only sale worth going to. I also went to Home depot and Kohls.

 

[usnuzuloose]

The one thing I did notice more this year is that there are to many rebates. So you still have to pay full price and wait for ever to get it back. Thank goodness I only have one item to deal with.

 

[Virgderon]

I don't do the 4 am Black Friday shopping anyway, but there was nothing of interest for me. The only good sale was at Walgreens.

 

[Planogirl]

We did need electronics so Best Buy was very good. I see what you mean otherwise though.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I'm more into the thrill of the hunt and the deal to get my shopping done (what hasn't been completed that is). There never is anything we "need" and as long as I can find one thing on my "to buy" list, then all is good.

My deals to fulfill our shopping wish list needs....

Digital frame, 2 Barbie scooters (from Target so Barbie can ride, too!), Kung zhus for $4 (I do think that was the price earlier this week), a hot wheels play track for nephew, Julie and Julia for my mom ($5 score!), a Julia child cook book using half off coupon, and "toys" for my husband (he is pretty much an impractical gift requested and I'm happy to tolerate it once a year---so he got a foosball table game).

The digital frame is he only item that I "suffered" the nonsense, bit after watching prices for the past year. I did wait in line at targt for the scooters. Those are from brother to his older sisters and half off meant that they fit in his budget. Older dd's is rusted (from beach living) and other sister was due for an upgrade from her preschool schooler (she is small...so we held out until she requested to move to a two wheel scooter).

So I was pleasantly surprised this year. Some years though are a bust. I will still venture out, but not as early and then I pillage the leftovers.

but now I know, if I need a tv and okay with NOT purchasing the lowest priced door buster, for the second year in a row--walmart had many leftover much later in the morning. When I returned to walmart after forgetting an item dd10 wanted to get for her sister ($1.96 scooby doo DVD!), then had stacks of them by the front registers....my choice at $398 and less.

No need for one though and we don't spend that much pp anyway on christmas.

Has I not run out of budget--I did find more deals while window shopping today. I wish I had had a clothing budget (done for the year )--so many clothes I was tempted to buy. But that only happens when I have no money. If I had money, there would have been nothing.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I don't do the 4 am Black Friday shopping anyway, but there was nothing of interest for me. The only good sale was at Walgreens.

We have rite aid and cvs as well...did well for those, but hit them yesterday. Worked well for stocking stuffers. Though my husband may wonder why he is gettig listerine. Lol! But I stuff with practical
and then the completely frivolous, like his Lego wizard.

 

[Marshay]

I woke up at 2:30am and said, there really was nothing that I needed or wanted that badly. So I went back to bed (we just got home from Disney yesterday so we are tired)

I love the thrill of the hunt and getting a good deal....but I really didn't think WM or Target had super specials.

I did order from Disney Store on-line and got some great things.

Maybe next year will be better ... and I'm still hoping for some great deals in the next few weeks...

 

[Tinkerbell58]

I enjoy BF shopping, but there was nothing I really needed. I only went out for the doorbuster printer at Staples, but stopped at a few stores along the way. The traffic was terrible, shoppers had no patience, and carts blocked aisles. In one store, there must have been a family reunion in the middle of the aisle; nobody could get through. This "family" was oblivious/didn't care and chatted away.

 

[Kate and Pete]

I'm more into the thrill of the hunt and the deal to get my shopping done (what hasn't been completed that is). There never is anything we "need" and as long as I can find one thing on my "to buy" list, then all is good.

Totally OT, but I just wanted to say - I've never seen anyone with as many posts as you!!! You ROCK!

 

[dzneelvr]

Totally AgreeAll the ads around my area were basically "enhanced normal sale prices". DS and I went to work out about 4pm and I spent one $5 Hallmark discount card and one $10 Fashionbug discount card (no minimum), but no reason to get out of the house any earlier today. Those two stores had some empty shelves at that time of day but overall not nearly as empty a store as I thought. I'll just pick up some true bargains in 3 weeks

 

[nolanboys]

Very disappoined in the ads. We hosted Thanksgiving, and when I sat down last night, I looked through the ads again. They really weren't that great - especially because we don't need any big ticket items and were only looking for the kids. I ended up looking online and did all my shopping there. Everything shipped for free and I was able to do it in my pajamas from home!Happiest with my lego find - the store had 10% off everything - including the Harry Potter castle set. It is my 8 yr olds one big present. Just glad to get it and for a better price than I've ever seen it. Now onto cyber-Monday....

 

[firstcruise]

I usually pick one big ticket item each BF and buy it, but this year didn't find anything that remotely interested me. About mid-way through today decided that getting a netbook would be a great gift to myself so that is what I'm going to get on cyber Monday. Well, if I can find the one I want.

 

[tink576]

I thought BF was a bit of a bust this year. Normally I'd get up early and go out, but this year I didn't bother because there was nothing big ticket that was worth going and standing outside in the rain/snow.

 

[fkj2]

Interesting.

I had to work Thanksgiving day and then met friends for dinner so I was too tired to hit the stores on Friday--never even got the ads looked at. Good to know I didn't miss much.

Since this board is a sampling of consumer behavior, I wonder where all of the shopping the media alleges happened yesterday occurred. I was at Sam's last night to buy tires; very quiet there at 5:30 PM.

 

[EKW]

The deals this year were not as good as last year. One example: last year Rockem-sock-em-robots were $9. This year they were $13!

My total spending on Black Friday was $70....and $40 of that was for a new Christmas tree! I thought I was going to get my boys some clothing, but the stuff at WalMart was horrible quality, and the sales at Sears, Penneys, and Kohl's (the only 3 stores we have locally) were not as good as the sales I got at the end of October!

I'm hoping someone gets desperate and offers some real sales on clothing before Christmas!

 

[fkj2]

I'm hoping someone gets desperate and offers some real sales on clothing before Christmas!

If they don't, there'll be no place for the Spring merchandise. The stores look well stocked to me.